Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders remain behind bars weeks after they were arrested on what lawyers say are bogus charges, despite widespread condemnation and appeals for their release from international organisations, such as Amnesty International.

Dr Mahrang Baloch, chief organiser of the BYC who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, has been held for over a month under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (3MPO), a law that grants the government the authority to detain any person it deems a threat to public order. Senior BYC leaders Bebarg Baloch, Sebgatullah Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch and Bebow Baloch are also in jail.
Analysts say Pakistan’s governments have a history of misusing this infamous law to suppress dissent.

“No one can be arrested without having committed a crime.” Jadain Dashti, a Supreme Court lawyer, told Balochistan Times. “Authorities are required to provide detainees with a copy of the detention order, but in this case, no such order was provided to Mahrang and others.”

Quetta-based lawyer Imran Baloch recently called the detentions unlawful, saying that no notification was given and proper legal procedures were bypassed.

Dr Mahrang’s counsel submitted a petition challenging the charges on March 25 in the Balochistan High Court. The hearing was on April 10. After delaying the verdict for three days, the court transferred the case to the Home Department for further review. “This shows the cases of BYC leaders are being intentionally suppressed,” Jadain Dashti said.

The BYC leaders are facing torture and mistreatment in custody, their families have said. On April 23, a heavy contingent of the Counter Terrorism Department arrived at Quetta’s Hudda Jail, tortured Beebow Baloch and forcibly shifted her to Pishin jail. Dr Mahrang and other BYC leaders began a hunger strike. “Their strike was to demand the return of Beebow Baloch, release of detained activists, and the end of all bogus FIRs against our members,” senior BYC leader Dr Sabiha Baloch said. “We fear that our other friends will be separated and shifted to other places, like what happened to Beebow Baloch.” Dr Mahrang and others ended their five-day hunger strike on Monday after a request from their families.

The families have concerns about their health, and are worried about harassment and mistreatment by the police.


“I was in police custody only for two days, but am still traumatised. I can’t imagine the condition of Dr Mahrang and other detainees,” Saeeda Baloch, a human rights activist, said. “The (police) personnel had no manners, and their language was very abusive. They kept psychologically torturing us.”

Saeeda recalls how it felt like time had stopped while she was in detention. “On the first night, I asked for time, and one said it was 10:13 PM. When I asked once again, it was 10:22 PM. I thought hours had passed, when in reality it had just been 9 minutes. In that moment, I thought of my brother, nephew and others who had been missing (victims of enforced disappearance) for years. It was an agonizing feeling,” she said, her voice shaking.

Security forces have arrested several people during recent crackdowns on the BYC. “The whereabouts of many protesters, including our members, are unknown,” Dr Sabiha said. “Among them is Chief Safar (BYC member), who was forcibly disappeared from Quetta.”

Fearing for their leaders’ health and safety, BYC activists and hundreds of their supporters are still out on the streets despite a massive crackdown. They have vowed to continue the protests until their leaders are released and all bogus charges are dropped.